Father's House!

Alright so been reading thru Luke and there's SO many things I could say about it! BUT, I will limit myself to 1 thing for tonight.

So in Luke 2:41-52 it talks about how Jesus was left in Jerusalem and his parents were looking for him. They found Him sitting in the temple among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.In v48 Jesus mother says "Son, why have you done his to us, Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere!" Jesus responds with DYNAMITE. Jesus says in v.49 "But why did you need to search? he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"

How awesome is that, Jesus responds with a question. He is like duh mom and dad, shouldn't you know I'd be involved with my Father's affairs, that I would be in my FATHER'S HOUSE!?!! He was like hello, where else would I be? Anyways, what I'm pulling from this is that I want to be like Jesus in this way. I want when my parents, friends, or whoever..when they ask. "Where's Jenna?" For the response to be "Duh, she is in her Father's House" meaning I am spending time with the Father or being about the Father's business. It's NOT for others to recognize you as "how holy thou art" or something..NEVER...but the point is to be so so wrapped up in the Father, that this is where you live and move and have you being just as it says in scripture..."In Him we live and move and have our being" Acts 17:28. I wanna be found in the Father's House, that's all I'm saying! :)

Don't get weary!

Gal 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Im working at a camp at ND and its been challenging and its only been a couple of days. BUT tonight was a breakthrough time for the students here and the counselors. WOW. The girls write in journals and we respond to them. I have 9 girls under me that I respond to. The things they write are incredible...sometiems funny, sometimes sad! I am so priveleged to have the opportunity to encourage them and tell them how special they truly are. My heart melts by this. I love them so much. Today I lost sight of my purpose for a moment as I got overwhelmed and exhausted with some challenges. The lord soon reminded me and gave me hope, reminding me of the impact that I have on them and CAN have on them thru His guidance and love. Wow I am so touched by these girls and whats going on here, I am so glad the Lord led me back to this camp for the 2nd time, it's changing me and im sure its changing them.

Don't get weary in doing good, draw your strength and focus from the Lord. Don't forget your purpose, remember that everything you do is for the glory of God. LOVE must be a part of all we do, shine and choose to love today, even if you dont get a response. LOVE LOVE LOVE...more!

Only one continued...

"It comes down to relationships. Relationships are what matter, what count.
From fun fellowship, to the depth of friendship.
From the heart of a parent, to the bond of siblings.
From daily companionship, to the intimacy of lovers in marriage.
Relationships, for all they were meant to be and mean to us, even at their best are only a shadow, a fraction, an imperfect, tainted replica of what is meant to be with HIM. At it’s best…our hearts really long for, were designed for, and will only be fulfilled with…unconditional love..."

It all comes down to HIM...No one, no relationship, nothing...can take the place of the ONLY ONE...He is the ONE and ONLY ONE...unconditional love always, blessed Savior, wow...enthralled by this beauty of our Lord and Savior.

The only One...

God is the only one...
-who will never let you down (even if you think He has)
-who will never leave you
-who you can always put your trust in
-who knows everything single thing about you
-who agape loves you no matter what
-who heals your broken heart
-who engineers circumstances in your life
-who brings you true peace, a peace that passes all understanding
-who changes your heart of stone
-who rescues you from the evil one
-who forgives your sins & give you eternal life
-who brings real lasting unexplainable joy to your heart
-who turns mourning into dancing
-who redeems relationships
-who never changes

and the list can go ON AND ON...

See, the Lord is what we need, a deep and personal relationship with Him. He's always there wanting for us to receive all His love. He never changes. I find my rest and peace in Him, knowing He loves me and He has the plans for my life worked out ahead of me. When you see more of His love for you, your trust grows because you know He loves you so much that He is taking care of things in your life. BELIEVE, have FAITH, take action, move on, go forward not backwards.

Lord teach me more trust and patience. I know you always always always come thru and you are GOOD. Show your people your love thru your presence and thru the lives of your saints. May the LOVE you give change melt hearts and bring people into full communion with you that they may trust you more and follow you all the days of their lives. You love everyone and you made a way for us all. Draw hearts to you. Rise up your saints to take a stand for your Kingdom, fan the flame inside of their hearts that they may burn for the world to see...see YOU! Bring us into unity and divine connection, that christians of every denomination will come together in the name of Jesus Christ.

ahhh yes! good quote

So found this just now...

"Have you ever spent so much time praying and thinking of others that you forget to pray and think about yourself?"

ahhh yes..hmmm good to think about FOR REAL! Get off the ME focus...

Earnestly I Seek You

Lord I come before you in Jesus' name, help me to earnestly seek you! Help me to not waste anymore time in my life, but in all things be fervent and purposeful. May I not forget the big picture nor the small details, but in all things acknowledge you. May I not quench the holy spirit's promptings and may I be quicky obedient. I know you have shown me some new things, help me to trust you and know what to do with it all. Every emotion, every thought, every everything may it be pleasing and taken captive to your word. Train me and correct me to be a faithful and trustworthy saint to you and others. Lord remind me of you Love always for I know here I find trust and confidence. You are a BIG God, you hold the world in the palm of your hand, surely you hold all of me, my life, dreams, plans, and desires in the same palm. You got this, lead me, I surrender and completely abandon myself in your presense and your ways. If I get distracted, press me, until I get back on track. If I mess up, show me so that I may repent. If I fall down, catch me so that I may be standing again. I am truly only yours now...exactly where you want me to be...so may I take that as a complete gift and return all praise and gratitude to you. There is no place I would rather be than in your hands alone. Nothing else can satisfy like you can. No one can take your place. No one can I depend on more. You are jealous for me, so I cling to you and hide myself in you. I commit all my ways to you and I Know you will work everything out in due season. You oh Lord are a mighty and powerful God, you engineer situations in my life all for your glory, returning joy and blessings to me because you are good and you love me. You take me down roads I don't understand just so you can prove to me how you always come thru, so you can develop patience in me, trust in me...you do it all for good. You are so good. In the desert, in the harvest, I will bring praise..always and forever. May you continue with me a new season of complete focus and transformation. With my eyes fixed on you, my heart willing to change and be corrected, I humbly come before you and ask you to complete shake me up and set on fire the blaze within me that it may burn SO BRIGHT. FIRE Lord, confidence Lord, authority...bring revelation to my heart...boldness like never before! I am a canvas, paint your picture...whatever and wherever...do it, I am willing before you now! Even if it's hard, even if it doesn't make sense, change me and take me away so that you may receive the MOST GLORY and the plan you have for me may be completed in full! I love you God, you never leave me and I love you.

Here am I...

"Here am I, all of me. Take my life, all for thee."

Lord, these few simple words are compacted with power. All of me, have it, have it all. THe parts I that I have not surrendered, shove me on my knees, that I may give it ALL to you. It's all I know to do at this point, all of me...all for thee!

-daughter

Change!

So in a recent email I received a quote saying "You'll never change your life until you change your choices" AHHHH so true, except I believe God changes your life, you seek, you make the decisions, and He steps in and His power changes things. So revised quote "Your life won't be changed until you change your choices" That sounds more right to me I think! But YES, love it. YOu know why? BECAUSE I'm doing it and it's the right thing. Look at your life, examine your life, what needs changed?! Okay got it, alright so now start making different decisions regarding the areas that need change. Ask the Lord to step in and govern these areas of your life and that His power may become effective through you in these situations. DO IT, make different decisions, ask Him to take over, and be changed forever! Hallelujah...another AMEN!

I have been doing the above for the last month or so and my life has been transforming before my eyes. I am so motivated and change is happening. AMEN! I'm also discovering so much work ethic (apart from school, lol already got that down). BUt I mean I am now just using my time so much more wisely and being so much more productive hour by hour. Yesterday when I had an extra hour, instead of napping or fiddling around, I swept out my car! YES! THen I made dinner for mom and I on Tuesday. THe sense of accomplishment and productivity that comes with this new motivation is fabulous. I love it, it was so needed after a tiring (but awesome) school year. I asked the Lord to come in and make me such a motivated person and over time it's happening! :) I love it bc it's making the most of the day! wooo hooo!

Random but I have been doing yard work, landscaping, and today began painting a lake cottage. UM I LOVE THIS STUFF...haha so weird that me of all people would like it so much, but man oh man the hours fly by and the work is dirty and hard haha and so I feel tough and accomplished. I would rather be busy with a goal then sitting around at some reception desk or folding clothes at the store (not that there is anything wrong with these, I just like more activity). WOO hoo for outside work! OH and last weekend for 4 days I had a blast working at ND for the reunion weekend, shuttled people all over in vans and golf carts, so much fun!

till we meet again...

Unreached People

At bible study tonight, a few people shared about their recent trip to the philipines. They said that they encountered people who have NEVER EVER heard the Word of God, the message of Jesus Christ. They were able to be a part of spreading the good news, entirely new and fresh to the unreached people. They said the people were so eager and willing to listen, so hungry for it. WOW WOW WOW. My heart was touched and wow I pray to one day be a part of reaching and unreached people group, people who have never ever heard the good news, how incredible! Places like Africa, Phillipines, etc...call my name please! At the same time, I pray to spread the good news to those who do not know or understand that truth in my own country, the people next door, the cashier at the store; those who have never been shown the real love of Christ. They may have heard of this christianity stuff, but they have never encountered the true love of God. WOW I am overwhelmed. Lord work through me to reach all types of people, including the ones closest to me-my friends and family. May I pray ferevently and know you more intimately so that I may hear you voice clearer and be walking in you will in order to accomplish your purposes, salvation for all!

Woo hoo Lord!

God is taking me over right now, completely. I am just stunned by Him and His glory. I want to be so lost in love with Him, let it overtake my entire being. This time, I'm surrendering it ALL FOR REAL, allowing the Holy Spirit to come in and shake up the things needing to be touched and redeemed and corrected. Bring it on, I so desire to be transformed in so many ways. Never have I been so determined in God, Praise Him for His work in me, by HIs grace that I am running after Him as He is running faster after me! I am so pumped! Woooo hoooooo! I'm telling ya'll, there's nothing like a life with the Father, nothing satisfies apart from the Father's love, the cross, the death of Jesus Christ. No other avenue will give you freedom like this one. He is everything we need, everything we could ever ask for and MORE. People think being a Christian takes away freedom, but that is wrong....it unleashes it! Amen to that!! AHH FIRED UP! Boo YAH! overflow Lord...woooo hooo!

Utmost for today! que bueno!

THis is the devotion from "His utmost for his highest" If you don't read this daily, you totally should...soooo good!!!

He said to me, ’Son of man, can these bones live?’ —Ezekiel 37:3

Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer— “O Lord God, You know” ( Ezekiel 37:3 ). Never forge ahead with your religious common sense and say, “Oh, yes, with just a little more Bible reading, devotional time, and prayer, I see how it can be done.”

It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we see the activity and mistake panic for inspiration. That is why we see so few fellow workers with God, yet so many people working for God. We would much rather work for God than believe in Him. Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do? The degree of hopelessness I have for others comes from never realizing that God has done anything for me. Is my own personal experience such a wonderful realization of God’s power and might that I can never have a sense of hopelessness for anyone else I see? Has any spiritual work been accomplished in me at all? The degree of panic activity in my life is equal to the degree of my lack of personal spiritual experience.

“Behold, O My people, I will open your graves . . .” ( Ezekiel 37:12 ). When God wants to show you what human nature is like separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace. My “grave” has been opened by God and “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” ( Romans 7:18 ). God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.